Sunday, March 16, 2014

By now, you need to have decided on a working definition of flexible learning and started exploring the flexibility of your course(s) using Casey & Wilson's (2005) Flexibility Continuum. If you have managed to explore some examples of flexible learning that is even better.

If you are following the schedule, Diversity is the topic you need to be working on now. However, the schedule is only a guide so don't be too hard on yourself if you are at a
different stage.

Why do we need to have a grasp on diversity to understand the

concepts of flexible learning?

Understanding
who your students are, how they learn and what will encourage them to
engage with your subject will optimise equitable access to the learning
environment. Is it true to say that only by acknowledging difference can
we be inclusive? Or is it fairer to say that good learning design is
inclusive by default? What is diversity? What is culture? How is
cultural diversity relevant to your teaching?

Where to start? Check out the materials on WikiEducator about Diversity. Activity Four will guide you. Check out this short four minute video about how diversity can impact on learning.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

To get started in the course and find out how to set up your learning portfolio, please go to Getting Started
on WikiEducator. If you need assistance, please get in touch as soon
as possible, otherwise weeks can go by if you don't get over the hurdle
of setting up your portfolio.

Remember
you can make your blog or ePortfolio space private if you prefer and
invite just the course lecturer. I can supply email addresses if you
wish to give course participants access as well. If you do feel
comfortable having your work in a public forum, the advantage is that
others can interact with you, and give you feedback. In class today, we looked some examples of blogs and ePortfolios from other classes - links on the right of this
post. We also began talking about what flexible learning means - the
first module -What is Flexible Learning? - and discussed the five dimensions of flexibility and ratings on the flexibility continuum (Casey &amp; Wilson, 2005). We also made a start on thinking about how flexible participants' course design was with regard to these dimensions.